Method and apparatus for torpedo-firing operations



Nov. 18, 1930. c. L. FLORISSON METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TORPEDO FIRING OPERATIONS Filed June 15, 1928 -2 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 18, 1930. c. L. FLORiSSON METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TORPEDO FIRING OPERATIONS Filed June 15. 19 28 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 v I g Patented Nov. 18, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHARLES LOUIS FLORISSON, F IBECON-LES-BRUYERES, FRANCE, ASSIGNOR TO SOCIETE DE CONDENSATION ET DAPPLICATIONS MECAN'IQUES, 0F PARIS, FRANCE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TORPEDO IIRING OPERATIONS Application filed June 13, 1928, Serial No. 285,182, and in France June 28, 1927.

The present invention has for its object a method and apparatus by which torpedo firing operations may be performed by the aid of a record of the course of the targefi vessel which is automatically produced on board the firing vessel, and by the immediate construction of the sighting triangle which is deduced therefrom. The record of the course of the target is obtained by means of echoes of elastic submarine vibrations transmitted by the firing vessel, such echoes being reflected back from the hull of the target vessel.

. The said method. and accompanying apparatus will thus constitute'a' new application of the known properties andapparatus for submarine detection by means of echoes whereby-to determine the positionpf a submarine obstacle by means of the elastic vi-* brations which are propagated in the water.

In a general manner, the arrangement may be constituted as follows (a)\ The combination of a director vibratory transmitting apparatus, which is so disposed that the elastic energy which it transmits in the water is concentrated in a certain direction, in which the apparatus is turned; and of a directivevibratory receiving apparatus of such nature that it can be rotated and that its sensitiveness is a maximum in agiven direction; or, I

(b) The combination of a directive vibratory transmitting apparatus and a non-directive vibratory receiver (i. e. a receiving apparatus which is also adapted to receive vibrations from any direction) orinversely, a nondirective transmitting apparatus (i. e. an apparatus transmitting energy inall directions) and a directive vibratory receiver.

The apparatus comprised under (a) and (b) possess the two qualities specified as follows:

1. They may be employed on board a vessel to determine the direction or bearing of another vessel either, in the case of the apparatus cited under (a) by observing the direction of the axis of the receiver when the echoes are noted upon the said vessel; or in the case of the apparatus cited under (7)) by observing the direction of the axis of the apparatus (either the transmitter or receiver) which is j the measurement, on board directive when the echoes are noted upon this latter vessel.

2. They are employed on board a vessel to determine the distance of another vessel by the first yessel, of the'lapse of time it between the transmission of the vibratory submarine signal and the recep 'tion of its echo reflected from the second vessel or target. If Vis the known speed of travel of elastic vibrations in water (for instance 1500 meters per second for sea water), the desired distance d is given by the known ratio The method and apparatus, the subjectmatter of the present invention, are based upon the use on board the firing vessel, of the two aforesaid properties, for the mechanical and automatic obtainment of the record, made by successive points, of the course of the target vessel relative to the firing vessel the said record bein made in such manner as to show the relative speed of the target upon its course. The apparatusfurther comprises a specially combined apparatus which allows the operator, by'means of'firing data concerning the target which are thus obtained, and of his own firing data, to at once mechanically produce the sighting triangle,

instant and the meets the target. v

The following description and the appended drawings show the principle of the said inventionand the means by which it may be carried into effect.

Figure 1 represents a general vertical section. of the apparatus, and

Figure 2 is the corresponding plan view.

and to find the moment at which the target traverses the sighting line, i. e. the place at which the torpedo Figure 3 is a diagrammatic plan view of the disc'with its various arms, rulers and slides; the rulers and arms being represented by lines, and the slides by points, for clearness in the figure. The Figure 3 also shows the diagram of an attack, with the construction of the sighting triangle.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a detail.

- and which representsthe plane relative to the firing vessel. A point 2 of the said disc represents the firing vessel and a straight line 3-4 represents the longitudinal axis of the firing vessel, the forward part being situated at 4. Upon an axle of rotation 5, normal to the said disc and passing through the firer 2, is pivotally-mounted an arm 2-6whose direction is maintained constantly parallel with the axis of the directing vibratory appa atus employed, and which as above stated permits the determination of the direction of the target. This is efiected, for instance, in the case (a) by providing the device used for the orientation of the directive receiver mounted on the firing vessel, with an apparatus (of known type) for determining and transmitting to a suitable receiver the angular location of the target; and by mechanically connecting a corresponding apparatus 7 for receiving the determined angular location with the arm 2-6.. Numerous mechanical or electrical devices for transmission of such anguluar locations are in use at the present time and provide for the easy obtainmentof this condition; in the case (b) the device for the control of the one of the two apparatus, transmitter or receiver, which is directive, will always comprise a pointer movable on a graduated scale and showing, with reference to the firing vessel, the direction of the target when the echo is produced by the latter. In this case as well, I add to the device for the control, as above indicated, an apparatus for'transmitting, the angular location, as in case (a) which is indicated by the pointer, and also connect the arm 2-6 with a corresponding receiver 7 for the determined angular location, in such manner that the direction 2-6 will thus, upon the disc, be constantly situated according to the bearing shown by the pointer.

In these conditions, when a target is situated within themange of the vibratory apparatus of the firing vessel employed for transmission and reception, if the usual operator, while controlling this apparatus adapted for the direct locating by means of echoes, determines by the known methods the direction of the '"propagation of the waves of the echo furnished by the target, the particular devices above mentioned will automatically represent upon the disc 1 (or the plane relative to the firing vessel the direction of the target, which Is the irection 2-6, or the first of the polar co-ordinates representing the relative position of the target. I

The arm 2-6 further carries a registering system for the distance of the target (the second of the polar co-ordinates represent:

ing the relative osition of the target) which Z 21) in which V is the constant, andk nown speed avibratory signal by the firing vessel) so as to move the of propagation of the elastic vibrations in the water, and

\ P is the scale, determined in advance, by which it is desired that the apparatus shall lay out upon the disc '1 the successive positions of the gun firer;-and. an automatic device for reversing the motion of the slide which acts, when the latter has attained the-end 6 of the arm2-6, to bring the slide 12 to the point 2 onto the zero position.

T he slide 12 carries, a short distance above the disc 1, a tracing point whicha mechanical or electrical device, controlled bythjeechoreceiving apparatus, brings down so as to mark a lineupon the disc 1 during the reception of the echo produced by the target.

The length of the arms 2-6 and the dimensions to be given to the-disc 1 are determined by the range of action of the vibratory transmitting and receiving apparatus utilized by gun firer, and by the scale adopted. For example, if the range of action'is 5000 meters,

and if the scale adopted is 10.000 this will lead to the use of a length of 50 centimeters for the amount of the free path of the slide 12 upon the arm 2-6. The disc should thus have in this case a radius of at least 50 cm. It is also observed that the speed a of the slide, in the direction 2-3 above specified, should be in this case per second, if V=l500 meters per second By way of example,'l will describe a form of construction of the registering system for the distance of the target corresponding to the purpose above mentioned, but it isobvious that any other construction of the apparatus complying with the same conditions will remaln within the limits of the present invention.

The arm 2-6 supports a screw 8 having the same direction as2-6, which by a quickacting clutch 9 actuatedby means of the vibratory transmitter during .the transmission of a submarine signal by the gun firer, crating the vibratory transmitter and receiver maybe connected with a device rotatable for the detecting, follows the target by means in a continuous manner at constant speed of the successive transmissionsand echoes, the (i. e. a known device such as is currently emapparatus according to the present invention 5 ployed) mounted on the arm 26 or on a will automatically eifect the markingby 7 suitably shaped support carried b 'the arm. pointsof therelative course of the target The constant speed of rotation o n revoluupon the 'disc 1. K V tions per second which is assumed by the *The following arrangementfurther per screw from the start of the transmission, mits the ap aratus to indicate, upon this 1 should be such that the product of its pitch course, the r lative speed of the target, which p by'n, or pXn, should be equalfor the firing indication should be known by the gun scale adopted for the chartto half the firer.- speed V of the elastic vibrations in the water. The simplest method forqthis purpose con- .7 The] arm 2-6also carries on aguide 11' sists in recording the'successive points of the [5 a small slide 12 secured to a nut 13 (the slide target upon its course at constant and known and nutthus forming the slide 12)in which intervals of time, for instance, T seconds; by is disposed the screw 8. Due to the rotation then measuring uponthe chart the distance at of the screw-since the nut will not turnbetween two successive pbints, the relative -he said slide will be moved from 2 to 6 at speed of the target on its course between these :0 the speed of sound in water, to the scale two points will be of the chart. 1 a:

The slide 12 carries a tracing point 14 7 p which in the zero position is held for a short j v distance above the disc 1; an electromagnet to the scale of the chart. This result may be 5 15. (or like actuating device) under the conobtained, for example, in the following mantrol of the echo-receiving apparatus, serves ner,

to lower the tracing point 14 upon the disc for I utilize as an automatic chronograph afan' instantat the time ofthe echo, thus callsfording the interval of T seconds, ashaft 37 ing it to mark a line upon the disc. actuated by the constant-speed device 10 by The said slide, during its motion from 2 speed-reduction gear in such manner that'it to 6 which is set off by the signal, will thus rotates at the rate of one revolution in, T sectrace, upon the occurrence of the echo, the onds. The shaft 37 carries two cams 38-39 relative position of the target upon the disc. having the proper angular spacing. The

After the echo has. ceased, it continues to cam 38 closes, at each interval of.T seconds,

move as far'as 6, and is then to be brought a switch which is suitably connected with the back to 2 to prepare for the next record. vibratory transmitter and with the clutch 9. For this purpose, the rotation of the screw and Whoseclosing afitomatieall produces the in'the direction which brings the slide from transmission of the signal an causes at the 2 to 6,-servesto wind the spring 1 6 whose same time the functioning of the clutch 9.

elastic force brings upon the said screw a 10m the other hand, the usual hand control 1e5' couple which if the screw were disengaged fr the transmissions of the said vibratory and in the state would rotate it in the con-- transmitter and'receiver by its operator is so .trary direction, i. e: would bring back the disposed that it remainsindependent of the nut 13, and hence the slide, to the point 2 and cl tch 9'; in this manner, only the transmisinto contact with a centralstop mounted on sio effected automatically every Tseconds by in, h m he said arm 26 also carthe tracing apparatus will furnish records for ries at 6 a stop provided with engaging gear the successive positions of the targetfinpon connected with the clutch 9 which uponthe its course. J I return of the carriage into contact will rc- During the unoccupied time which elapses lease the screw from the actuating'device 10 between the arrival of the slide at 6 and the andwill allow the spring 16when expandnext automatic transmission, the gunner eming to bring ,the slide from 6 to 2 as above ploys himself in sending out wavesignal at stated. a will and in, seeking forthe echoes of the target A switch or other suitable device is used by successive balancings of the apparatus, in with the clutch 9, so as to enable the operaorder to locatethe target, according to usual 120. tor charged with the vibratorytransmitting practice 'for submarine detection, and he is a T I and receiving apparatus to operate the de- 'thus enabled to follow the vessel-on its course. a vice for recording the distance to the target Upon the shaft 37 whi %rbears the cam 38 i only when he is certain that it is actually the is also ke ed a cam 39. lie position or the echo reflected from the target that is heard. outline o the latter cam is such that it coop- On the contrary, the device for determining erateswith a contact before the cam 38 and transmitting the angular location will operates with the above mentioned switch remain constantly in service. which corresponds therewith. l

The preceding description clearly shows The contact cooperating with-cam39 operthat when the gunner engaged in'suitably opates to close the energizing circuit of a lamp the firing elements by to make his attack in the best conditions,

so that the latter will be lighted before cam 38 cooperates with its corresponding contact; whereby the said lamp is lighted an instant before the automatic transmission takes place. This will allow the said operator who has been following the target during the-aforesaid unoccupied time, to hold the directive apparatus in the direction of the target while the apparatus performs the automatic recording of'succeeding pos'tion of the target on its course.

Fi 4 shows a preferred embodiment of the c utch 9.

40 is the frame supporting the clutch; 41 is any suitable bearing; 42 is a driven bevel, pinion; 43 a driving bevel pinion meshing with pinion 42 and keyed upon the motor shaft 2; 44 is a soft iron sleeve loosely mounted upon the shaft 8 and connected with the bevel pinion 42 (for instance through a key) 45 is a soft iron plate slidably movable upon the shaft 8 but held'a ainst rotation relatively to the shaft so as 'o be rotatably driven through it; 46 is a stop pin, 47 a spring and 48 an annular stationary coil secured to "the frame 10.

The operation of the device is as follows:

Upon 43 being rotated at a constant speed, 42 and 44 are driven continuously. So long as any current does not energize 48, the sleeve 44 is not magnetized and the clutch plate 45 being held apart by the spring 48 cannot put into rotation the shaft 8 and the sleeve 44e As soon as a current, due to the apparatus being operated, energizes 48, 44 becomes a magnet which ulls 45 against the dompression of the sprlng 47 and makes the clutch operative, 44 and 8 are thus driven.

The arrangements above described will thus allow the apparatus according to the present invention to mark out the course of the target, by'the successive equidistant positions in time (using intervals of T) the measurement of whose spacing upon the chart will show to the gunner the speed of the target. These data, i. e. the course of the target and the speed of this latter, are the data for the firing which are necessary and sufficient for the gun firer to know in order that he may prepare his attack with the torpedo. It will be further remarked in Figure 1 that I employ the pinions 22 for the device 7 receiving the indications for the location by means of which the orientation of the arm 2-6 mounted on the shaft 25 is obtained; 23 are the rings and 24 the brushes assuring the electric connections for the elements mounted on thefmovable'part of the apparatus; 26 is a casing which protects the parts; 27 is the tripod supporting the apparatus.

The gun firer makes use of the data thus furnished by the apparatus to determine which he is enabled which are :his course, his speed upon the course, the orientation of the torpedolaunching tube which is to be utilized, 'or

the orientation of the path which is to be followed by the torpedo if he makes use of a tropedo with gyroscope of the deflected type, and also is to be utilized.

These complete firing data, which the gun firer has ascertained during the last period of his attack, are employed by him in order to at once lay out by mechanical means the sighting triangle by the use of the following special arrangement, combined with the marking apparatus.

the speed of the torpedo which Above the arm 2-6 is disposed a station ary orientation arm ing to the axis of the gun firer and towards the rear. The said arm forms a straight edge or ruler, termed firing *ruler which is graduated from 2 to 3according to the 23 situated accordspeed of thefiring'vessel upon its. course, to a the scale of the chart. The slide 17 is mounted upon the said ruler, and it-is to be maintained by the operator occupied with the recording apparatus at a distance from the point 2 which is equal to the speed of the firing vessel Which normal projection of the segment 172 upon the disc will thus represent a vector whose value is-equal to that of the speed of the firing vessel, its course, and whose-end is situated at 2. p

The slide 17 carries a journal whose axis is normal to the disc 1, about which is -rotatable, in a plane parallel. with the disc 1, a ruler 17-18 termed torpedo ruler which the operator of the apparatus secures to the that the direcof the chart. A slide 19 movable upon the said torpedo'ruler is secured by the operator at a distance from the point 17 which is equal to the speed ofthe torpedo, already known.

. The normal I projection of the segment a vector which is equal in value to the speed of the torpedo and whose origin is situated at the point 17. They slide 19 carries a journal wh'ose axis is 'normal to the disc 1 and upon which is pivotally -mounted a ruler 19' 20 termed target ruler whiclris graduated from '19 to 20 in'speeds of-the target,- according to the scale of the chart.

The operator utilizes the part of the course of the target which has been. already marked out, and he secures the target ruler to its journal and parallel with the relative course,

from 17- to 18 in speeds of the torpedo according to the scale is already known. The

17-18 upon the said'disc thusrepresents 1 a point 19 equal to the and 11117116 opposite direction.

The normal projection of the segment 21- 19 upon the disc. 1 will thus represent a vector whose Value is that ofthe speed of the target, and whose end is at 19. The three rulers i. e. for the" firer, the torpedo and the target, may obviously he graduated in speeds to a common scale, which is different from the one on the chart. The slide 21 carries a pointed member Whose axis is normal to'the disc 1. The end of the shaft 5 also carries a pointed member which represents the firer 2. The line 221 is the 'line of sight, and this may if desired be represented by a ruler which the. operator places in the direction 221. After laying out the sighting triangle as above stated, the operator charged with the vibratory transmitting and receiving apparatus will continue to follow the target with precision. The operator of the registering apparatus follows the target on its course and will control the firing of the torpedo when the target crosses the line of sight 221.

Figure 3 represents the geometrical diagramrelative to an attacking operation and will. clearly show the functioning of the above-mentioned apparatus. I

The dotted line y2 represents the part already'marked out, of the course of the target and for the sake of simplicity this is supposed to be straight, i. e. the absolute courses "of the target and the firer are supposed, in

the case of the figure, to be straight and to be covered at constant speeds.

' v The sighting triangle, laid out as above stated, is defined by the points 21921'. It should in fact be noted that this triangle is to belaid out on the disc 1, i. e. in the relative plane'of the firr, so that its two known .sides should representthe relative speed of the torpedo and the relative speed of the target.

The relative s eed of thetorpedo is represented by the vector 2 19 (not material? ized), this being the geometric difference between the vector 17-19 or the absolute speed of thetorpedo, and the; vector 172 or the absolute speed of the firer. The vector 21 -19, or relative speed of the tar et, 1s directly'givn by the chart furnished hy the registering apparatus.

It is observed in this figure that the firing should take place when the target arrives at c i. e. the intersection of the lines of speed 221 and of the course y z. The torpedo will attain the target when the latter attains the point (Z, or the intersection of the relative courses of the target 3 a and of the torpedo 219. The recording apparatus thus serves, when following the target upon its course,

1 after the torpedo has been fired, as an indiimmersed in the water,

firer t0-observe, among the other explosions noted in a combat,-for instance, the one that determination recording arm. 7

The general preceding general account of the method shows that the present invention affords a complete and accurate solution of the problem of torpedo attacks and firing; It offers a great improvement in the methods of torpedo firing hitherto employed. The

invention is applicable to all vessels firing torpedoes, and chiefly to submarine vessels. In this latter case theimprovement in the methods based upon the use of the periscope by estimates of the distance of the target, its speed, and the inclination of its course relatively to the radius vector .represented by the line from the periscope to the target) 'is considerable. The new apparatussubstitutes for the firing data concerning the target, which are only approximate and subjective and are simply estimated by the use of the periscope, exact data which are objectively measured. Furthermore, the

apparatus now makes it unnecessary to e1n ploy the perisco-pe during the whole period of the attack thus conducted with precision, so that the firingsubmarine will not reveal its presence by any material object at the surface of the water, and the firing vessel is also enabled to make itsattack when deeply thus greatly increas ing itssafety and hence which is-an important factor.

What I claim is 1. The process for conducting the firing of torpedoes which comprises sending, on board of the first vessel, towards the target vessel, elastic submarine waves, receiving the echo thereof, causing the course. of said waves to beautomatically recorded on a reduced scale, while they travel, repeating said successive operatiops at intervals whereby the relative disposition of both vessels is drawn on a reduced scale and the speed of the target vessel may be calculated therefronr for deducing the firingdata for the torpedo.

"2. The process for conducting the firing of torpedoes which comprises sending, on board of the first vessel, towards the target vessel, elastic submarine waves, receiving the echo thereof, causing'the course of said'waves'to be automatically recorded on a reduced scale, while they travel, repeating said successive operations at intervals, whereby the speed of the target vessel may be calculated, and constructing a sighting triangle by means of the nown and oflthe calculated elements for the purpose set forth.

3. An apparatus for the control of torpedo firing, whichcomprises, on board the riage is displaced along the rod firing vessel, means for transmitting elastic submarine waves and for receiving such waves, said means being rotatable in order to follow the direction of the target vessel whose hull sends back echoes, 'a plane table connected with the firing vessel, a rod arallel with said table and pivoted on a xed point, means whereby the said rod may be placed parallel with the direction of the target vessel, an element movable along the said rod at a speed proportional to half the speed of the elastic waves in the water, means provided on the said element for producing a record upon the said plane table connected with the firing vessel when the echo of the elastic waves is received,said record corresponding to the position of the target vessel, a set of three rulers pivoted together, slides movable on the said rulers andcarrying the pivot joints, the first ruler being pivoted on the joint on which is pivoted the rod placed parallel with the direction of the target, the first ruler being graduated in speeds of the firing vessel, the second in speeds of the torpedo, and the third in speeds of the target vessel.

4. An apparatus for the control of torpedo firing, which comprises, on board the firing vessel, means for; transmitting elastic submarine waves and for receiving such waves, said means bcing rotatab in order to follow the direction of the target vessel whose hull sends back echoes, a plane table connected with the firing vessel, a rod parallel with said table and pivoted on a fixed point, means whereby the said rod may be placed parallel with the direction of the target vessel, a carriage provided with recording means and adapted for displacement along the said rod, constant-speed motor by which the said carat a speed proportional to one-half the speed of the elastic waves in the water, which displacement commences at the time of the transmission of elastic waves, means for operating the said recording means when the echo returns, whereby a record point will be made upon the said lane table connected with. the firing vesse means for returning the said carriage to its starting point at a high speed, and means for laying out upon the said plane table connected with the firing vessel the sighting triangle afiording the data for firing the torpedo.

5. An apparatus for the control of torpedo firing, which comprises, on board the firing vessel, means tor transmitting elastic submarine waves and for receiving such waves, said means being rotatable in order to follow the direction of the target vessel whose hull sends back echoes, a plane table connected with the firing vessel, a rod parallel with said table and pivoted on a fixed point, means whereby the said rod may with the direction of the target vessel, a carbe placed parallel,

riage provided with recording meansand adapted for displacement alongtlieisaidrod,

constant-speed motor by riage is displaced .alon the rod at; a speed proportional to one-hal thesgeed of theelastive waves in the water, whic displacement commences at the time of the transmission of elastic waves, means for operating the said recording means 6. An apparatus for the control of tdrpedo on board the firing firing, which comprises, vessel, means for transmitting elastic submarine waves' and for receiving such waves, said means being rotatable in order to follow the direction of the target vessel whose hull sends back echoes, a planetable connected with the firing vessel, a rod parallel with said table and pivoted on a fixed point, means whereby the said rod may be placed parallel with the direction of the'target vessel, a carriage provided with recording means andadapted for displacement along the said rod, constant-speed motor by which the said car riage is displaced alon the rod at a-speed proportional to one -ha elastic waves in the' water, which displacement commences at the time of the transmission of elastic waves, means for operating the said recording means when theecho returns whereb the said plane table connected with the firing vessel, means for returning the said carriage to its starting point at a high speed, means actuated by the constant-speed motor for which the said car-' when the echo returns, whereby a record point will be made upon the f the speed of the a record point will be made upon r and means for laying plane table connected 

